Back to School Bash in Painesville gives students haircuts, sports physicals, dental exam

Jeff Forman/JForman@News-Herald.com

Olivia Moore, a cosmetology student at the Brown Aveda Institute, gives 7-year-old Preston Teel a haircut Aug. 9, 2014, at the Back to School Bash at Harvey High School in Painesville. Preston is entering the second grade. Preston was at the event with his mother, Jennifer Corey-Teel.

For a day, classrooms at Harvey High School in Painesville were transformed into hair salons, dental offices and medical clinics during the second annual Back to School Bash.
The event, put on by the Salvation Army and the Lake County General Health District, was started to offer more assistance to families getting ready to go back to school and to improve the overall health of the community.
Free school supplies were provided by the Salvation Army, 69 Pearl St., Painesville, and over at the high school, students K-12 were able to get free haircuts, sports physicals, immunizations, dental care and new coats.
“Every child who comes in gets a book and then they go around to each of the stations,” said Kathy Milo, health promotion and planning supervisor with the district.
Jen Barr, a dental hygiene instructor at Lakeland Community College, said the kids received an exam, fluoride treatment and a sealant, all preventative care.
“A big part is getting everyone educated. Teaching the right way to brush your teeth and floss,” she said. “If we do find a problem, like a cavity, we tell them about it and give a referral for low-cost services.”
Before participating in school sports, Ohio requires student athletes to undergo a routine sports physical.
Overseeing the physicals was Dr. Nancy Rodway, medical director of ambulatory centers and occupational services at Lake Health and medical director for the health district.
“There’s one particular thing we’re looking for and that is a congenital heart condition that can cause sudden death on the field,” she said. “That is our main task, to listen for heart murmurs.”
Aside from the physicals, Rodway said she encouraged parents to have their children vaccinated.
“It’s crucial because we’ve had an outbreaks of mumps in this state. We’ve had an outbreak of measles in this state, and whooping cough in this state,” she said. “These conditions are so preventable. It gives me goose bumps, it just makes me nervous because vaccines are safe.”
By 11 a.m. the volunteer hair stylists had done around 150 haircuts. Participating salons included Ladies & Gentleman Salon and Spa in Mentor, students from the Brown Aveda Institute in Mentor and Rocky River, Maria’s Hair Salon in Painesville and Anyes Hair Salon in Painesville.
Last year the stylists gave close to 400 haircuts, said Jean Kozlowski, spokeswoman for Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa. This year the goal was 500.
“The kids that are coming through here today know exactly what they want. They’re excited about getting their haircut,” she said. “They definitely know the fashion and the style and what’s in right now. They’re ready to get back to school. Everyone today has commented about going back, and the parents are really excited.”

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Liz started working at The News-Herald in July 2012. She's covered municipalities, schools and now the night beat. She likes Doctor Who, baseball, ice hockey and cheeseburgers. Reach the author at elundblad@news-herald.com
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